Major snub for Prince Harry as Charles makes William the leader of brother’s helicopter unit
KING Charles has arrived to make Prince William Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps in a major snub against Prince Harry.
Charles, 75, met with William, 41, in front of an Apache chopper as he officially makes his eldest son the leader of Harry’s former helicopter unit.
The monarch was spotted arriving at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, in a rare joint engagement for father and son.
The chopper is the same as the type which Harry flew in service for his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014.
William, who flew with the Air Ambulance, will then take to the skies in the Apache.
Harry, who was in the Army Air Corps (AAC) for more than three years, qualified as an Apache commander in 2012.
He then undertook a five-month operational tour of Afghanistan where he piloted the chopper until January 2013.
The Duke of Sussex worked as part of the Joint Aviation Group which provides helicopter support to the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan security forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded Harry in the Army Air Corps previously said how the royal was a “real inspiration to many Army Air Corps officers and soldiers”.
It comes after the King was said to be “too busy” to see his youngest son when he visited the UK last week.
Harry, 39, was keen to see his dad after jetting from California but his spokesman said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.”
Hours later, in a second snub, the King revealed eldest son William would be taking the honours today.
Harry jetted in for events marking ten years of his Invictus Games, while the King greeted Fiji’s Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of Sussex stayed at a hotel when he returned to his homeland.
Harry travelled from his Montecito mansion in a whirlwind three-day visit for the glitzy event at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.
He was just three miles away from his father, who was hosting the famous Buckingham Palace Garden Party on the same evening.
The King even decided to hold a private meeting with ex-England star David Beckham on Friday May 10 after snubbing wayward son Harry.
Becks, 49, bonded with Charles at his country home Highgrove, Glos., to learn more about his charity, the King’s Foundation, a source close to the monarch confirmed last night.
The Sun exclusively revealed last October that the footy ace had accepted an invite for talks with the King to explore ways they can work together for charity which provides skills training to youngsters.
Becks, known as Goldenballs, has distanced himself from Prince Harry following his public attacks on the Royal Family after previously being an ambassador for the Invictus Games.
Harry 'distressed' by handover 'snub'
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun:
It is absolutely no doubt [a snub towards Harry].
I think that Harry will be distressed by this.
Undoubtedly it’s something that he’s takes very personally, we know that what he’s done for the military family, for the Invictus games, which is a wonderful thing, and of course this featured a great deal in their visit, which was private to Nigeria.
But the fact simply is that the King is making somebody he trusts colonel in chief.
I mean this can generously be described as a mess, but it’s a serious issue, because it it tends to show that communication has gone totally haywire, and that’s a generous interpretation of it.
I frankly can see why the Sussexes haven’t been trusted.
Despite the family drama, Prince Harry was seen beaming next to Meghan on their three-day Nigeria trip.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Africa for their visit on Friday and have so far danced with schoolchildren and met with locals and officials.
This is Harry and Meghan’s first trip to Nigeria as a couple, although they did a royal tour of southern Africa in 2019 when they were working royals.
They stepped down from royal duties and relocated across the pond in 2020 – with their departure dubbed ‘Megxit’.
It remains to be seen when Harry visits his brother William again after their relationship has become increasingly strained over the years.
Harry stepped down from the Royal Family four years ago and has since made a number of shocking allegations about William.
Their relationship has only worsened after the Sussexes made a number of accusations against the Royal Family in their Netflix docuseries.
Harry and William were last seen together at King Charles’s Coronation last May but they were sat separately and the Duke made a quick escape.
Prince Harry and Prince William's military experience
Harry served with the British Army for ten years where he rose to the rank of Captain.
He carried out two tours of Afghanistan including a two-month stint in Helmand.
The Duke of Sussex was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with The Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) on April 13, 2008.
Harry later qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training with the Army Air Corps.
While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a co-pilot gunner sharing flying duties and taking control of the weapons of the two-man Apache.
William served seven years in the military, with more than three years as a search and rescue pilot.
He left the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2013 as a rescue pilot to focus on charity interests.
After leaving operational duties with the Armed Forces, Prince William retrained to become an air ambulance pilot.
William worked with the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015.
But in January 2017, Kensington Palace announced that he would be completing his work with his last shift on July 15.